$15,000 GRANT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND DIED IN WWI

Member for Watson Tony Burke said a $15,000 Federal Government grant to Canterbury Council would be put towards updating important places of memory in the local area.

“In World War One, like so many of the conflicts that followed, locals who lost their lives in conflict were buried in the field. These memorials were the only dedicated sites where family members and loved ones could leave flowers, reflect and pray. They hold a special place in the nation’s memory and every generation needs to treat them with special care.”

City of Canterbury Mayor Brian Robson said commemorating the Centenary of Anzac is an important step in our nation’s journey and one that touches close to home here in the City of Canterbury.

"Sadly more than 300 men from our local community died serving in World War One. Local memorials play an important part in ensuring those individuals are not forgotten."

More than 10 new plaques will be installed around the community to remember those fought and died in WWI. Grant recipients were chosen by the Watson ANZAC Centenary Committee and plaques will be unveiled at the Burwood, Campsie, Belmore, Lakemba and Belfield RSL sub branches.

The Watson ANZAC Centenary Committee included local veterans and was chaired by former Premier’s Representative of the ANZAC Memorial Trust and former Member for Bankstown, Mr Tony Stewart.

The grant was made possible under the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program put in place by the former Labor Government. $125,000 has been made available for the local community to commemorate one of the most historically important periods in Australia’s history, the ANZAC Centenary.